The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-12-03
TREASURY SURPLUS.
All Important Subject Between
Senators and representatives.
Tho Expressions OF Few of Those Inter.
Viewed by the United Press Repre-
sentative-Consuming Theme
of the Hour.

THE ONLY SUBJECT.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24.-There Is but one
very prominent subject under discussion
between the Senators and Representatives
now in the city, and that is the surplus In
the treasury. In fact, II reports Of arriv-
ing statesmen from every section and de-
partmental correspondence Is to be ac-
cepted as Indicative OF public thought, this
Is the consuming theme Of the hour, not
only among statesmen but among business
men generally throughout the country. 1t
is conceded by all OF the legislators that the
first question which will come before the
House will be "What is to be done about
the surplusl" and that the most vigorous
effort will be made, not only by the domi-
nant party, but by the minority, to remedy
what is now referred to as the common
evil"
With view Of ascertaining the senti-
ment of statesmen now in Washington on
the subject, the United Press reporters
have, during tho past week, interviewed all
of the available men who will be called
upon at the approaching session to vote
upon measures affecting the surplus A
majority who expressed opinions antici.
pated some sort OF action upon the tariff
and the informal revenue. A large majority
are in favor Of abolishing the tax upon all
tobacco, except in the form Of manufact-
ured cigars and cigarettes. Especially are
the Republicans favorable to this propo-
sition. Many favor free sugar, lumber,
salt and raw materials not produced in this
country. A bounty for sugar raising Is
popular. Many Of those approached on the
subject acknowledged its Immense breadth,
and refusing to say, in word, what their
positions were, wanted to sit down on it Mt
length, evincing deep concern in the gen.
eral feeling.
The Democrats expect the President to
make recommendation to Congress 30
plain that the party may go into caucus and
agree to support bill which Secretary
Fairchild has intimated he will submit, and
which is to be known as the "Administra.
ton bill This is the idea of the proper
thing to be done by Representatives Breck-
inridge, Of Kentucky, and Mills, OF Texas,
who are the ranking Democratic members
on the committee Of Ways and Means. The
Republican Senators. however, intimate
that it is not possible for the House to send
over a measure which will receive ma
jority report from the Senate Committee on
Finance, without material amendments.
1t was stated that the administration
bilr' will recommend, after general re-
duction of the tariff, the abolition of all tax
on tobacco except cigars and cigarettes.
The expressions of few Of those inter-
viewed by the United Press representa-
tives are appended: Speaker Carlisle is in
favor Of immediate action. The President
and Secretary of the Treasury, he says,
will recommend it, The surplus, in his
opinion, must be attacked by a general re-
duction OF the tariff. He would take from
$40, 600, 900 to $50 OOO, 900 from the annual re-
ot,~t. hxva ~ of the frQQ LIST.
including mostly raw materials, and would
then abolish the tax on manufactured TO-
bacco to the extent Of s20,0OO00O, making
the aggregate reduction about $40, ,OoO,OO q
year. He would leave the tobacco tax SOLE
ly on cigars and cigarettes.
Senator Sherman favors o revival OF the
distribution act of 1887, by which the sur
plus could be distributed to the States up
on the basis of population, if internal i'm
provements, the abolition Of the tobacco
tax, free sugar and bounty to sugar
makers would not do it. He thinks the
question of reducing the surplus will come
up with the tariff, and that the Senate will
bring in a new bill when it receives the
work of the House, 80 there will, Of neces-
sity, be great delay in final action.
Senator Allison thinks the question Will
be presented in variety Of forms. Inter-
nal Improvement, rebuilding Of the navy,
reduction of foreign and domestic tariffs,
etc.
Representative Bynum, Of Indiana,
thinks that the tariff will be the means re-
sorted to in reducing the surplus, and that
the Democratic party, being pledged to
moro moderate tariffs, must confne itself
to securing lower import duties. Bynum
reckons as surplus the amount set aside
for the redemption Of greenbacks, and
thinks sum could just as reasonably be
set aside for the payment Of government
bonds.
Senator Beck anticipates long debate
upon questions directly affecting the sur
plus, but does not think that the surplus it.
self will cut direct figure. He Is in favor
of reducing the internal taxes and the Gus
toms dues to q large extent.
Senator Mitchell, Of Oregon, SAID the agi-
tation of the surplus would be one Of the
first questions to come before Congress and
one Of the last to be disposed OF, as there
seemed to be no definite or organized basis
TO work on. Every man has theory of
his own, and he is fixed in it. "If had my
way about it," said he, II would soon set
tie the question. would begin by appro-
priating $50, 600 900 for river and harbor i'm
provements, a like sum for harbor defenses
and another fifty millions for new navy"
Representative Grain said: "Of one thing
am assured, and that is that the salvation
of our party depends upon our reducing
the revenue during the coming session. l
will do my best to bring about the best re-
suit, but will act IN consonance with my
Oarty.n